It’s another day and chances are you’ve heard yet another story about what the city might or might not be doing,
is going to do or is probably going to do. If you desire to keep up with factual information, is there a better way to stay informed? Your municipal leaders hope that you will take advantage of a few of the things that have occurred over the last couple of years to make your local government more transparent. We believe that most citizens would make the exact same decisions that your City Council is making if presented with the exact same information. It is with that understanding, that we continue to find ways to provide citizens the opportunity to stay informed.
Let me share a few ways that we currently are trying to meet that vision. As you would expect, the first place you should check is the city website. We recently launched a new website and further, launched it with a new web address http://presqueislemaine.gov/. We think you will find it to be easier to find, use, and remember. Take a look and let us know what you think.
One of the very first things that I incorporated when I arrived is to get everything the City Council receives online for the public to see. We also post that information earlier than ever before. Every Friday before a Council meeting, the entire City Council information package (with the exception of any information that is provided for executive sessions) is available in a PDF format. You can find these links at http://presqueislemaine.gov/2014-minutes-city-council-city-of-presque-isle/.
You will also find available the packages and minutes of previous meetings as well. In the same location, you will find posted agendas and related information of every other public meeting of every city board, committee or task force as well. Prior to this time, very little information was shared with the community about what was going to be on the agenda and the background of why. It was also common to add items to the agenda the night of the meeting.
Recently, I started writing a blog about subjects and events going on in Presque Isle. The goal is to get at least one entry a week up on the blog and I hope to offer more. You will find some lighter subjects as well as items that will be discussed in more detail at this location: http:/picitymanager.blogspot.com/.
We also launched the use of Twitter to share quick information about things going on the city. A listing of the individual Twitter accounts can be found at http://presqueislemaine.gov/follow-us-on-twitter/.
We hope to include other ways to keep you informed about your local government. Our future plans include launching an official city Facebook page. We also hope to have the funding in the 2015 budget to enable live video streaming of Council meetings with the ability to replay the meetings as well.
Are there other ways you think we should be communicating with you? Let us know. Call us, email us, leave a message via our website, tweet us or even drop us a note the old fashioned way. Our contact information can be found at: http://presqueislemaine.gov/contact-us-city-of-presque-isle-2-presque-isle-maine/. We would enjoy hearing your thoughts and suggestions!
Jim Bennett is Presque Isle’s city manager. He can be reached at 760-2785 or via email at jbennett@presqueisleme.us.
